NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 13

*Mike Barner*

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NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 13

The NBA season is moving quickly with this week marking the 13th week of the 26-week season. If you aren’t already sitting pretty in your season-long league, now is the time to make some moves. It’s important to know the intricacies of the schedule to gain an advantage over your opponent in a head-to-head league as starting your best players might not always give you the best chance to win. Here are the moves you want to consider for your team based on the week ahead.

Teams With The Most Games – 4 Games Each
Brooklyn Nets, Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, Toronto Raptors.

With stars like Stephen Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jimmy Butler, and DeMarcus Cousins all having the opportunity to play four games each this week, your team could be starting off with a significant advantage. If you are looking for some other players to help fill out your starting lineup, consider adding the players below who each get four games this week and are widely available in most leagues.

Trey Lyles, Denver Nuggets

Lyles had played at least 20 minutes in a game only twice all season through November but has played less than 20 minutes in a game only once since. He’s clearly assumed a major role off the bench, finishing with a 19.6% usage rate in December. Not only did he average 14.7 points and 6.6 rebounds in December, but he’s averaging 20.3 points and 9.0 rebounds over three games in January. Although he won’t provide many assists, steals or blocks, he is averaging 2.2 three-pointers over his last 18 games. He’s somehow still available in 51% of Yahoo! leagues, so make sure you pick him up with four games this week.

Delon Wright, Toronto Raptors

Wright is starting to make waves in Toronto, averaging 12.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.1 three-pointers over his last eight games. He’s earning more playing time as a result, logging at least 20 minutes in five of those eight games. Norman Powell, C.J. Miles, and OG Anunoby have struggled to provide consistent production, so Wright should continue to see added minutes going forward. Two of his four games this week come against the Warriors and the Nets, two of top five teams in the league in terms of pace of play. Still available in 73% of Yahoo! leagues, there is potential here for excellent production.

Bogdan Bogdanovic, Sacramento Kings

The Kings continue to change up their rotations, making things frustrating from a fantasy perspective. Case in point, Bogdanovic has started three of the last eight games. Despite the changes, he still managed to average 12.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.5 three-pointers over those eight games. He gets to play the Clippers twice and the Lakers once in three of his four games this week, which are great matchups since both teams struggle to defend shooting guards. He’s still available in 85% of Yahoo! leagues, so don’t hesitate to pick him up if you need a guard.

Teams With The Fewest Games – 1 Game Each
Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers

The Celtics and the Sixers face each other in London on Thursday, resulting in them both only playing one game this week due to the extensive travel. As a result, you should consider benching the following players this week.

Kyrie Irving, Boston Celtics

There is no doubt Irving in an elite scorer, averaging 24.1 points and 2.5 three-pointers per game this season. The problem is, he doesn’t provide tremendous help in other categories, averaging just 3.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game. A volume scorer with only one game on the schedule is a recipe for disaster. It’s hard to bench a star like Irving, but this might be just the week to do so.

Al Horford, Boston Celtics

Horford’s main value comes from his ability to contribute across the board, averaging 13.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.0 block and 1.4 three-pointers per game. You don’t see that type of production out of the center position too often. Unfortunately, his production is not out of this world in any one area. In a week with only one game, he just won’t have the opportunity to pile up enough stats for you in multiple categories. Keep him out of your lineup.

Dario Saric, Philadelphia 76ers

Saric has been a key contributor for the Sixers this year, especially with all the time that Joel Embiid has had to miss due to rest and injuries. Embiid missed several games in December, resulting in Saric averaging 17.3 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.0 steal and 2.2 three-pointers per game in the month. With Embiid having plenty of time to rest before Thursday’s game, it appears that he should play. One game with Embiid likely back in the fold just doesn’t leave enough value for Saric to be in your starting lineup this week.